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Windows

You Too Microsoft?

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New report: Microsoft To Ban ‘Offensive Language’ & Monitor Your Private Account
“According to a new services agreement written by the company, the tech giant is planning to ban accounts that use “offensive language” and will go through your private data to “investigate” users.
In a March 1 release, Microsoft is warning customers using Office, Xbox, Skype, and other products that the company is prohibiting offensive language and inappropriate content starting on May 1. “Don’t publicly display or use the Services to share inappropriate content or material (involving, for example, nudity, bestiality, pornography, offensive language, graphic violence, or criminal activity),” Microsoft warns in a portion of their new codes of conduct.”
Sit back and break out the popcorn, this should get interesting. Wonder how long it takes for the fanbois to break out the, “everyone else is doing it” excuse?

Win10 Updated

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“This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update.”
Remember, updates are cumulative.

For 1709 (Latest Build) – March 22, 2018—KB4089848 (OS Build 16299.334)

For 1703 – March 22, 2018—KB4088891 (OS Build 15063.994)

For 1607 – March 22, 2018—KB4088889 (OS Build 14393.2155)
*1607 is getting EoS next month.

1709 (Fall Creators Update)
1703 (Creators Update)
1607 (Anniversary Update)

See also:
Windows lifecycle fact sheet
Windows 10 release information

Patch Tuesday

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Updates available for all things Windows. I am still not updating my Windows 7 machines. The only Win10 machine I am updating is my main rig. I have switched that over to Windows Insider Fast Lane so I can get a head start on the Spring Creators Update that comes out next month. The things I do for you guys.

Full Windows Update info at the bottom of this post.
Win10 version 1709: March 13, 2018—KB4088776 (OS Build 16299.309)
“This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update.”
Win10 version 1703: March 13, 2018—KB4088782 (OS Build 15063.966)
“This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update.”

Firefox 59
Firefox 32-bit
Firefox 64-bit
All downloads
Release Notes. Be sure to check these out as there are a couple of new features you’ll want to know about.
Related: Tor Browser 7.5.1 released and Tails 3.6 too.

CCleaner 5.41
Release Announcement
Download (I use the portable version)
Thanks Arthur!

Adobe Flash Player 29.0.0.113
for Firefox, Opera
for Internet Explorer

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Win10 Updated

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March 5, 2018—KB4090913 (OS Build 16299.251)
“This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update…Addresses an issue in which some USB devices and onboard devices, such as a built-in laptop camera, keyboard, or mouse, stop working.”
This update is a cumulative update. That means it will apply the Meltdown/Spectre patch from past months.

Windows 10 Ultimate Performance Power Mode

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I woke up this morning and a number of sites are all giddy talking about the new Win10 Ultimate Performance Mode.
Windows Blog – Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17101 for Fast & Build 17604 for Skip Ahead

A new power scheme – Ultimate Performance: Demanding workloads on workstations always desire more performance. As part of our effort to provide the absolute maximum performance we’re introducing a new power policy called Ultimate Performance. Windows has developed key areas where performance and efficiency tradeoffs are made in the OS. Over time, we’ve amassed a collection of settings which allow the OS to quickly tune the behavior based on user preference, policy, underlying hardware or workload.
This new policy builds on the current High-Performance policy, and it goes a step further to eliminate micro-latencies associated with fine grained power management techniques. The Ultimate Performance Power plan is selectable either by an OEM on new systems or selectable by a user. To do so, you can go to Control Panel and navigate to Power Options under Hardware and Sound (you can also “run” Powercfg.cpl). Just like other power policies in Windows, the contents of the Ultimate Performance policy can be customized.
The Ultimate Performance Power plan is selectable either by an OEM on new systems or selectable by a user. To do so, you can go to Control Panel and navigate to Power Options under Hardware and Sound (you can also “run” Powercfg.cpl).
As the power scheme is geared towards reducing micro-latencies it may directly impact hardware; and consume more power than the default balanced plan. The Ultimate Performance power policy is currently not available on battery powered systems.
We’ll continue to tune and evaluate the power plan settings. To submit feedback please use the Feedback Hub and file your feedback under Power & Battery > Setting category.

My take. Microsoft is going to fix the High Performance Power Scheme because it was still turning things off even though you told it not to. High Performance is just that. “Ultimate High Performance” is just a marketing ploy.

Patch Tuesday

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I’m not patching. See the previous post: Patch Tuesday, Part 1 as to why.

Windows 10: February 13, 2018—KB4074588 (OS Build 16299.248)

Warning – Windows 7 Users, KB2952664 Is Back
It has been moved to “Important” again. We Geeks don’t like it because it is telemetry related.
KB2952664 – Compatibility update for keeping Windows up-to-date in Windows 7
In Windows Update you can right-click and hide this.
My script to block this and other sneaky updates: https://www.tweakhound.com/2015/11/01/remove-and-block-gwx-in-windows-7-2/

Microsoft Security Update Summary for February 13, 2018
I post this for your info when Microsoft sends it to me.
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